Abstract
As the urgency to address climate change intensifies, soil degradation from industrial activities and heavy metal pollution has become a critical global challenge. The resulting loss of biodiversity and weakened ecosystem resilience demand innovative and sustainable solutions. In this context, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NDES) represent a breakthrough in environmental science, offering a cutting-edge, eco-friendly approach to soil remediation. With their biodegradability and non-toxicity, NDES have the potential to revolutionize efforts to restore contaminated soils and rejuvenate ecosystems. Therefore, this study evaluates the effectiveness of NDES in soil-washing for Cu removal and to assess its impact on plant biodiversity and adaptation. Soil samples (976.43 mg Cu/kg) were treated with NDES to determine extraction efficiency over washing times (1-24 h). The methodology included assessing the efficiency of Cu removal, analyzing the process kinetics, and evaluating plant growth, health (via chlorophyll content), and biomass for Festuca rubra, Solidago canadensis, and Thlaspi caerulescens. Results show a 74% Cu extraction efficiency within 5 hours. Plant biomass increased by 65% in remediated soils compared to untreated soils, and plant health, as indicated by chlorophyll content, improved significantly. This study demonstrates that NDES offer an effective, sustainable approach to soil remediation, reducing heavy metal concentrations while supporting biodiversity recovery. These findings contribute to global efforts to develop nature-based solutions for mitigating contamination and addressing soil degradation caused by industrial activities. By providing an evidence-based solution, this research supports the ongoing dialogue on climate change and enhances ecosystem resilience.
Presenters
Barbara KlikAssistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University fo Life Sciences, Mazowieckie, Poland Maja Radziemska
Professor, Institute of Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Assessing Impacts in Diverse Ecosystems
KEYWORDS
Sustainable Environmental Solutions, Soil Washing, Metal Mobility Reduction, Plant Health
